Volunteer Opportunity: Early Childhood Education

Position Summary:

World Relief Memphis is seeking compassionate and energetic volunteers to assist with an early childhood education program. This role is crucial for supporting families attending our ESL programs by providing safe, nurturing, and engaging care for their children. By becoming an Early Childhood Education Volunteer, you help parents participate fully in our ESL classes, knowing their children are in good hands.

 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Supervise and interact with children (age range, 2-5 years old) in a safe, compassionate, and engaging manner.
2. Organize and participate in recreational activities such as games, crafts, and story time to stimulate and entertain children.
3. Assist in setting up and cleaning up play areas and materials before and after activities.
4. Ensure a safe environment by closely monitoring all children and adhering to safety protocols and procedures.
5. Provide basic care needs, including diaper changes, assisting with toileting, and facilitating snack times.
6. Communicate effectively with parents about their child’s experiences and any concerns that may arise.
7. Attend volunteer training sessions and meetings as required.
8. Communicate with RIYS staff if you will be absent.
9. Log volunteer hours in the WR Portal.

 

Qualifications:

1. 18+ years old
2. Complete the World Relief volunteer onboarding (application, online workshop, live orientation, background check, motor vehicle check, reference check)
3. Reliable, flexible, and respectful towards other cultures
4. Experience in childcare or child development, such as babysitting, educational settings, or parental experience, is preferred but not required.
5. Patience with children and a nurturing attitude.
6. Ability to physically interact with children, including sitting on the floor, bending, stooping, and lifting.
7. CPR and First Aid certification preferred.

 

Time Commitment:

1. Volunteers should commit to at least two shifts for the ESL class cycle. That is typically 7 weeks.
2. Each early childhood education shift is 9:00am-12:00pm. Shifts are on Mondays and Wednesdays.

 

Duration: Minimum two shifts per 7-week cycle.

 

Onboarding and Training:

1. General short-term/long-term volunteer onboarding process, including an application, online workshop, live orientation, background check, reference check
2. Complete the Early Childhood course on The World Relief Workshop (coupon code wrmemphis)

 

Skills You Will Develop:

1. Improved communication and interpersonal skills.
2. Crisis management and problem-solving.
3. Understanding of child development and behavior management techniques.

 

Benefits to the Volunteer:

1. Satisfaction of making a significant impact in the lives of children and families.
2. Opportunity to meet a diverse group of people and work as part of a dedicated team.
3. Developing valuable skills that are transferable to many professional and personal situations.
4. Discover the importance of early learning and how to best encourage healthy early childhood development.
5. Be equipped to address common challenges that arise when working with young children from diverse cultural backgrounds and those who have experienced trauma.